Police, traders clash in city: 10 injured

At least 10 people received bullet wounds in clashes between policemen and businessmen in the capital's Banani area on Thursday, police said.
They said the trouble erupted at about 11:15 am when a mobile court of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) launched an eviction drive at Banani DNCC Super Market to oust illegal traders.
When contacted, General Secretary of the Shop Owners' Association at the market Mahmudul Hasan Azad said the mobile court, led by DNCC Magistrate Mahbubur Rahman, along with policemen suddenly began the drive at the market without any sort of prior notice.
As traders sought notice relating to the drive and strongly protested the move, the magistrate of the mobile court instructed the law enforcers to open fire on the protestors, causing the casualties.
The gunfire left at least 10 traders injured and they were rushed to Kurmitola General Hospital and others to adjacent healthcare centres for treatment.
Coming down heavily on the extreme move of the mobile court, Mr Azad alleged that such mobile courts without prior notice were launched only to collect kickbacks from the businesses.
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"It's nothing but a move for extortion," he said and demanded enough compensation from the DNCC authorities in this connection.
Meanwhile, Assistant Commissioner (Gulshan Zone) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Nurul Amin admitted the incident, saying that instruction was issued to conduct investigation into the matter.
Officer-in-Charge (Investigation) of Banani Police Station Sheikh Shahinur Rahman said the traders locked in an altercation with the mobile court over the drive and at one stage the businessmen moved for attacking the mobile court, leading to eruption of the incident.
On information, police rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control.
"We're investigating the matter and no one has been arrested as yet," he added.
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